SSB 5670 - H AMD TO HS COMM AMD (5670-S AMH HS H2810.1) 615 ADOPTED 4-19-91

By Representatives Jones, Brough, and Moyer

On page 23, after line 3 of the amendment insert:

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. The legislature finds that an increasing number of children are entering the state's public schools with learning impairments caused by the use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco by their mothers during pregnancy. Many of these children suffer from mental retardation, poor social abilities, low cognitive skills, attention deficit disorders, hyperactivity, or speech problems.

The legislature further finds that educating these children will require additional resources, and perhaps new educational strategies and techniques. The extent of these additional resources and the most appropriate strategies and techniques are not known at this time. If additional resources are not provided, teachers will be required to devote significant time to these students to the detriment of other children in the classroom.

The legislature further finds that many of these learning impairments are preventable, and that increased parental education on the effects of substance abuse during pregnancy would aid in reducing the number of children with learning impairments."

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. The task force on the children of substance abusers is created. The task force shall:

(1) Consult with the interagency task force created under Senate Bill 5474 to identify current methods of data collection and reporting about children in Washington born affected by alcohol or drugs;

(2) Determine, to the extent feasible with available resources, the current and projected number of children in Washington born affected by alcohol or drugs, and estimate the number that can be expected to have learning impairments during school age;

(3) Investigate the nature of the special needs of children born affected by alcohol or drugs;

(4) Identify the categories of education and social services in the state likely to be significantly affected by changes in the number of children born affected by alcohol or drugs;

(5) Identify current public education and social service programs designed to address the special needs of children born affected by alcohol or drugs, including, to the extent feasible, total expenditures and number of children served;

(6) Identify current educational and treatment programs designed to reduce substance abuse during pregnancy, including, to the extent feasible, total expenditures and number of women served; and

(7) Based on its findings under subsections (1) through (6) of this section:

(a) Examine implications for the public school system and social services in Washington;

(b) Investigate promising models for addressing the needs of children born affected by alcohol or drugs within the public education and social service settings, including, to the extent feasible, estimates of cost per child;

(c) Investigate ways to reduce the problem of substance abuse during pregnancy, including, but not limited to, ways to reduce the social acceptance of alcohol and drug use during pregnancy and ways to reduce the availability of harmful substances to pregnant women;

(d) Investigate such related issues as the task force deems appropriate; and

(e) Develop recommendations for state action."

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. (1) Membership on the task force created in section 9 of this act shall include representatives from the:

(a) Senate, one each from the majority and minority parties, selected by the president of the senate;

(b) House of representatives, one each from the majority and minority parties, selected by the speaker of the house of representatives;

(d) Department of health;

(e) Department of community development;

(f) Department of social and health services;

(g) University of Washington's center for child development and mental retardation;

(h) Washington education association;

(i) Association of Washington school principals;

(j) Washington state school directors' association;

(k) Washington association of school administrators;

(l) Washington state parent-teachers association;

(m) Learning disability association of Washington;

(n) County health departments;

(o) Chemical dependency associations, not more than three representatives; and

(p) Private advocacy groups serving families and children, not more than three representatives.

(2) The representatives of the agencies listed under (c) through (g) shall be the agency heads or their designees. The representatives of the organizations listed under (h) through (p) shall be appointed by the superintendent of public instruction after consultation with organizations they represent. The task force shall select a chair from among its members at its first meeting.

(3) All task force members shall be appointed within twenty days and the first meeting of the task force shall be within thirty days of the effective date of this act."

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. Staff support for the task force created in section 9 of this act shall be provided by the office of the superintendent of public instruction."

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. The task force created in section 9 of this act shall report its final findings and recommendations to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature before December 1, 1991."

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 13. Sections 8 through 12 of this act shall expire December 31, 1991."

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 14. Sections 8 through 12 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately."

SSB 5670 - H AMD TO HS COMM AMD (5670-S AMH HS H2810.1)

By Representative Jones

On page 23, line 9 of the committee's title amendment, after "sections;" strike "and" and after "71.24.800" on line 10 insert "; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency"